Our Tutors

Elaine E

Teaching Style

Since I have a degree in special education and ESL, I have used many different methods of teaching. As a teacher I see myself as a facilitator. I want my students to be in charge of their learning, not me. I often ask a student “leading questions” instead of just giving them the answer. I also consider the audience when I am teaching. I ask myself...Are they familiar with our customs or not? Do they know our idioms or not?

Experience Summary

I have a MS in Varying Exceptionalities. I also have 18 hrs of ESL. Currently, I am working on 18 hrs of English. I have taught pre-school through adults. I have taught many different kinds of students. I have taught international students, ESL students, and native speakers of English. I have worked in pre-schools, public schools, private schools, language schools, and colleges. I have tutored many different kinds of students from foster children to adults.

Victoria V

Teaching Style

I truly enjoy teaching. My strategy involves actively engaging the student in the learning process. I always try to develop personalized programs based on each student's strengths and weaknesses.

Experience Summary

In 2006 I graduated from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) with a Master of Science degree. During my Master's program I worked as a teaching assistant in General and Organic Chemistry Laboratories. I was responsible for a brief introduction of the material prior to every lab period. This greatly helped me to learn how to organize material I was to present and explain difficult concepts in a simple manner. At USC as a Ph.D. student, I had a chance to work for the Student Athletes Academic Service where I was a chemistry and math tutor. In addition, during the spring of 2007 I was working as an assistant for the Organic Chemistry Course at LA Trade Tech College, where I was responsible for weekly sessions.

Megan M

Teaching Style

I love to teach students that want to learn. I have a lot of experience building confidence along with building basic skills. I believe that everyone is capable of succeeding in math and science classes, and will work to teach the child how to believe in their abilities in these subject areas. I teach through examples, and tend to ask a lot of questions, making the student come up with the answer on their own. I believe that the best way to learn is to do, and once I explain a concept, we work examples until the subject is mastered.

Experience Summary

I have been working as a tutor at the college level throughout my college experience. I worked both for the local community college and for my self as a private tutor. I earned two bachelor degrees, a BS in chemistry with an emphasis in physical chemistry, and a BS in math with an emphasis in applied mathematics. I work in the TRIO center, which has allowed me an opportunity to tutor writing and English students as well as science and math. I can tutor math through calculus, chemistry, physics, and writing.

Joanne J

Teaching Style

My teaching style is student centered and hands-on. I try to get students to recreate what scientists really do in the lab to discover and find solutions to problems, so a lot of time is spent in the lab and collaborating. I also incorporate data analysis in the lab experiences, so a lot of my labs require that students collect and share data, and base their conclusions to a problem on the data, and not a book answer. I think this is the reason why I had so many science fair winners at the middle school level. Often my parents where I amazed at what I could get their kids to create in terms of lab reports.

Experience Summary

I have been teaching for about 14 years. I discovered teaching while I was doing volunteer work bringing science to elementary school children in the inner cities of Philadelphia. I was hooked. I had so much fun and the fact that I could get paid for it was secondary but a bonus. I started out as a middle school teacher and I have been quite successful with them at science fair competitions. One year, 6 of my sixth graders took 6 of the 7 places in city fair. My eighth graders won first place 2 years in a row. One student went on to state competition (he won 2nd place in a category higher than his grade level), and another was awarded and honored at a Spectroscopy Society dinner. I am presently teaching high school Chemistry and General Science, and I love what I do.

Melissa M

Teaching Style

My teaching style is very hands on. I believe in using lots of manipulatives so the children can discover on their own what is being done. I believe that children learn best when lessons or activities are about something they are interested in. I try to get to know my students and plan lessons that they will be engaged in and enjoy doing. I never give up on my students and know they can learn anything when given the right environment.

Experience Summary

I graduated from Kent State University in December of 2006 with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Along with my course work I was placed in 4 very different, semester long, student teaching/field experience settings. In doing so I was able to put the theories and information I was learning in my class work to practice. Since graduation I worked in a child care center, working with toddlers for 6 months, an assistant director of a summer camp for 3 months during the summer (which was my fifth year working there), and am currently substitute teaching. I started out substitute teaching at the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year going to various elementary classrooms throughout the district of Akron Public Schools. Currently I am a long term substitute for a fifth grade classroom at Voris Elementary for the remainder of the school year.

Ellen E

Teaching Style

I prefer to focus on a child's strengths, even while teaching a subject that may be considered the child's weakest. I believe finding and integrating strengths promotes learning because it creates positive attitudes and a more productive learning environment. While understanding certain systems or theories is necessary, I think it is sometimes easier for a child to grasp challenging material when they see plenty of examples of the theory at work.

Experience Summary

As a recent graduate, with seven years experience writing in a professional environment, I excel at writing and editing because I understand the system of language, and I pay close attention to detail. I have nearly five years experience working with children in a structured environment, in addition to working with children of various ages as a summer camp counselor. I also hold a certificate with significant training in teaching English to non-native speakers.

Jarumi J

Teaching Style

I find teaching interesting and rewarding. Helping students grasp a better understanding of their course work which they find difficult makes me feel like I am doing something valuable for them. I always try to break things down into every day examples. I realize that students tend to understand more when they can relate to the topic. I also believe that everybody has the potential to be intelligent, some just need to work harder than others.

Experience Summary

As a student of the City University of New York (CUNY) I worked as a tutor in my senior year. I tutored mostly in accounting courses. I also tutored in some students in finance, economics, and math courses. I graduated with a double major in Accounting & Finance in December 2008.

Robert R

Teaching Style

I’ve always been interested in the application of math and science to the solution of real world problems. This led me to a very satisfying career in engineering. Therefore my approach to teaching is very application oriented. I like to relate the subject to problems that the students will encounter in real life situations. I've generally only worked with older students; high school or college age or older mature adults who have returned to school to get advance training or learn a new trade.

Experience Summary

I’ve always been interested in math and science; especially in their application to solving real world problems. This led me to a very satisfying career in engineering. I have a BS in electrical engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) and an MS in electrical engineering from Marquette University. I am a registered professional engineer in Illinois. I have over 30 years of experience in the application, development, and sales/field support of electrical/electronic controls for industrial, aerospace, and automotive applications. I’m currently doing consulting work at Hamilton-Sundstrand, Delta Power Company, and MTE Hydraulics in Rockford. I also have college teaching and industrial training experience. I have taught several courses at Rock Valley College in Electronic Technology, mathematics, and in the Continuing Education area. I’ve done industrial technical training for Sundstrand, Barber Colman, and others. I’ve also taught math courses at Rasmussen College and Ellis College (online course). I’ve also been certified as an adjunct instructor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for math and physics courses. I've tutored my own sons in home study programs. I'm currently tutoring a home schooled student in math using Saxon Math. I hope to do more teaching/tutoring in the future as I transition into retirement.